The Bad Hand - This is no time for modesty [Dalycity - 2006]This is no time for modesty is a rough and ready mix of punked guitar work, sailing on lo-fi seas instrumental rock glinting with jazzy element and blues nods, with a few quirky avant funny turns. Really a shambolic happy -go- lucky experience, that most of the time works. But sometimes feel a little too raw and laid back for it’s own good. This is music that cant really be analysed too much, just plain and simply it’s good time music, that has that back room of the bar feel to it. Hell for all I know that’s were it could have well been recorded, but don’t get me wrong The Band hand do have their own sound and identity this is no covers band or trying be a bad copy of another band. 20 20 finds a rocking riffing fed into to some nice and funky double bass playing and some rather neat cymbal abuse over which the band layer some rather fitting backwards vocals and chatter- strange and foot taping satisfying. Lo Ha finds bluesy picked emotional guitar work rubbing against some rather soothing violin, making a tuneful and moving piece that still has a kick to it. The only time this doesn’t seem to work are the tracks they introduced normal vocals- they just seem to run a little to close to comfort to bar-band-land. A very pleasant surprise, that brings instrumental music back to a more gritty honest and fun vibe. Sadly this is an only a ltd vinyl press so if you want this act quick, or hope it gets a well dissevered cd release. Roger Batty
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